Today, I bought a new bicycle. First one in, oh, two decades or so.
And I had more fun in two hours than I had in the last three months.
I rode down to Cannonsburg, a re-creation of a post-Revolutionary village. Here, I got onto the Greenway, a walking & biking trail that snakes along the Stone’s River.
Brillant spring green, wildflowers & perfect weather. The sound of running water everywhere.
People walking their dogs. One woman had a jet black Great Dane. It was huge. I asked her, “Dog, or horse, M’am?” Got a smile.
Muskrat diving intop the river. Trout jumping.
The scenery racing by. A fine breeze.
Got to the footbridge. Canoeist. Fishermen. Families.
Stopped off along the route home, at a used bookstore. Bought nothing, but enjoyed that, too.
My mountain bike is thrashed, it needs new brakes, new seat, and other parts. the only reason I keep it is because it has a real good frame. It’s been a couple years since I rode it, but I plan on fixing it up soon. I really should get on the ball, cause I need to lose some weight, and bike riding would be perfect.
My old bike was born in May 1953. It is a month older then I am.
It has a girder (springer) front end and the orginal paint. Boy I like
my Schwin bike! I wish I could ride it more often. I paid $20 for it.
I had a very good friend, now passed away, who worked at Hamel’s
Bike Shop in Mission Beach, Ca. (The Famous HAMEL’S). By Belmont Park and the roller coaster (IN SAN DIEGO).
I had great times cruisin’ the Boardwalk to Crystal Pier. Dodging people and skaters. Now the have painted lanes down the center of the Boardwalk, and poasted speed signs.
My old bike was born in May 1953. It is a month older then I am.
It has a girder (springer) front end and the orginal paint. Boy I like
my Schwin bike! I wish I could ride it more often. I paid $20 for it.
I had a very good friend, now passed away, who worked at Hamel’s
Bike Shop in Mission Beach, Ca. (The Famous HAMEL’S). By Belmont Park and the roller coaster (IN SAN DIEGO).
I had great times cruisin’ the Boardwalk to Crystal Pier. Dodging people and skaters. Now they have painted lanes down the center of the Boardwalk, and posted speed signs.
I’m gonna get me a new bicycle this summer. I’m still riding the rickety old 10-speed I got when I was 12-ish (I’m 22 now) and it’s finally starting to fall apart (I’m surprised it’s lasted this long, because I haven’t taken care of it at all; it’s spent the last two winters buried in snow) I want some kind of vintagey bike like WOMAN’s, something sturdy and simple and reliable as a mule. I’d deck it out with saddle baskets and a bell and loads of funky stickers.
I love bicycling dearly. I don’t have a car, so it’s my main mode of transport besides my feet. I like the simplicity and deliberatness it gives to my life. Every trip requires me to make a real, physical effort and really be in tune with my environment. On a bicycle, every outing is an adventure.
I plan on getting one this summer - something not too expensive, but will get me along. I driver to school every day (45minue commute) so using a bike for more than recreation is somewhat out of the question, but I’m living near some nice biking paths and scenery, and I really want to take advantage of it - and see if I can she a few pounds!
My housemate used to work in a bike shop (he’s an avid mountain biker) and says he can get me something really good for 20-50$. Once exams are over (next week) I’ll look into that!Though of course, it will be so much better if it ever stops RAINING!!!
I bought my first new bike since 1981, a couple weeks back, and I’m still getting used to it. Things have changed in 20 years! I got a road bike, so it would at least have the same basic look as my old 10-speed, but now I’ve got 27 speeds, and the shift levers are integrated with the brake handles, and (at least on the back sprocket) it knows how far to shift to go to the next gear - I just squeeze, and it does its thing.
I’m still building up intuition about what gears I want to be in, in various sorts of terrain. That may take awhile. And I may have to take the bike back to the shop I bought it from to get them to adjust the front shifter, which has a tendency to get hung up in mid-shift sometimes.
I have a light blue Diamond Back mountain bike, low-price, 6 speed rear, hefty frame. It’s been modified with XT brakes and a front wheel that I got at a yard sale, and it has the Schwinn book rack that used to be on my Varsity 10-speed. When I move to Philly (yes, it’s still going to happen) it will be my only transpo.
I also have Dirt Research SPDs, but I may not use them in the city. SPDs totally rule, though.
I still have my Cannondale road bike that I used while I was a courier I figure I put over 50,000 miles on it, all it needs is a new drivetrain. Then there is my Specialized M4-pro mountain bike that I just picked up this winter, I can’t wait to take it out for a long ride. I also have my Schwinn Tornado from the early 60’s with all the original pieces, a cool horn and bell. Plus my “Snow Bitch” a cheap mountain bike that I don’t care about that I only used when I had to ride in snow (3 blizzards) for work. Plus I have a tricycle setup that will convert a regular bike into a full sized tricycle. Lets see what else…a pink tandem that my roommate fixed up and I can use if I need to, and enough parts and frames in the basement for 3-4 more bikes.
I like bicycles
I’ve been looking to get a road bike one of these days, as soon as I can get the money together to buy something really nice (I’ve been eyeing some eighties Colnagos on eBay). The weather is getting nice, and I want to head out on the weekends for some nice long rides. I ride a Bianchi Pista track bike (one that cannot coast) probably forty miles a day during the week, and my knees object to the mere thought of weekend rides on it. Also, having the choice between a grand total of one gear ratio (48:15) is less than ideal on anything remotely hilly.
Today I got a new cog and chain for my bike, as well as the lockring wrench and chain whip needed to change them. I’m working towards becoming more self-sufficient at bicycle maintenance. Since it’s on my mind, I’ll pass on some advice: remember to change your chain before it grinds the teeth on your cogs down to the point where they will not work well with a new chain. I think 2,000 miles is recommended.
My family, in conjuction with the local emergency measures department, my insurance company, and the city of moncton paving and resurfacing department, has forbidden me from 2 wheeled transport for the duration of my lifetime.
Wow, Bosda, that must have been quite a tumble. I’ve fallen off my road bike twice, and both times it was because I was going too slow. Very humiliating, actually. I hope you feel better soon.
I too love my bike. When things are going crappily in all other areas of my life, I can depend on a bike ride through the farmlands and the vineyards here to make it all better. I think the combination of the endorphins, the exhilaration of speed, and the the beauty of the scenery is an unbeatable mood-lifter.
I know you’re pregnant, but any chance you can ride something like this? It’s a trike not a bike, but it’s real easy on your body. You’re welcome to borrow it for a few months if you can arrange for transport or pay for shipping. I have another trike now so I hardly ever use the old one.
Maybe kellibelli could use one like this too?
In case you are wondering, I have no disabilities or health problems. I just love trikes because they are so much fun. Not that I have anything against regular bikes, of course. I recently got an old aluminum road bike on an on-line auction. Turned out to be more of a project bike (I finally learned how to build a wheel!) but it’s a fun ride.
